by USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY

by USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY

Mack Brown said Sunday that he decided to step down as head coach at Texas because there were too many distractions, too many negatives to continue, that staying on would not be healthy for players or assistants.

"Stepping away will add 10 years to my life. Maybe 20. I'm really 42. Just looks like I'm a little older," the 62-year-old said.

Brown spoke at a news conference in Austin a day after announcing he would coach one more game for the Longhorns, the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30 vs. Oregon.

Brown, who said he could remained for a 17th season had he chosen to, said he will work as a special assistant for Texas President Bill Powers.

"There were discussions over a period of time," Powers said. "It was (Brown's) decision. This was not regent driven."

Brown acknowledged the program recently had not lived up to the standards he had helped set: 30-20 in the last four seasons, including 19-17 in the Big 12. He said he decided it was time to move on after 16 seasons to let Texas find a new coach who can bring in new energy and heal a fractured fan base.

As for the reports Texas was pursuing Alabama coach Nick Saban, "All the reports of lunches and meetings were simply unfounded," Powers said.

Brown is 158-47 at Texas, No. 2 behind the late Darrell Royal, who won 167 in 20 seasons. The Longhorns won the 2005 national championship, the school's first undisputed national title in 36 years.